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Full name Vivian Ian Smith
Born February 23, 1925, Durban, Natal
Current age 83 years 180 days
Major teams South Africa,Natal
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak
Batting and fielding averages
Mat
Inns
NO
Runs
HS
Ave
100
50
6s
Ct
St
Tests
9
16
6
39
11*
3.90
0
0
0
3
0
First-class
97
114
61
547
37
10.32
0
0
37
0
Bowling averages
Mat
Inns
Balls
Runs
Wkts
BBI
BBM
Ave
Econ
SR
4w
5w
10
Tests
9
12
1655
769
12
4/143
7/189
64.08
2.78
137.9
1
0
0
First-class
97
8233
365
9/88
22.55
26
8
Career statistics
Test debut
England v South Africa at Nottingham, Jun 7-11, 1947 scorecard
Last Test
South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Dec 23-28, 1957 scorecard
Test statistics
First-class span
1945/46 - 1957/58
Profile
Ian Smith was a legbreak bowler whose usefulness was limited as he did not possess a googly, but on a turning track his accuracy and prodigious spin made him a difficult opponent. He toured England in 1947, taking 7 for 189 on debut at Nottingham in the only match South Africa really competed in. He headed the tour averages with 58 wickets at 23.17, his best of 13 for 66 coming at Derby (including a spell of 6 for 1 which included a hat-trick). He toured again in 1955 but was second fiddle to Hugh Tayfield. Martin Williamson
